Thursday, March 26, 2009
By Tommy Witherspoon
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Linda Dulin cried tears of joy Wednesday, saying she is one day closer to fulfilling a vow she made after the death of her daughter, Kari Baker.
Dulin’s excitement was evident after hearing the news that a McLennan County grand jury indicted her 37-year-old former son-in-law, Matt Baker, on murder charges in Kari Baker’s April 2006 death at their Hewitt home as their two daughters slept down the hall.
- 09-04-09 Murder trial for former Baptist minister Matt Baker pushed back to January
- 08-29-09 Picking Central Texas jurors for trials of pastors can be 2-edged sword
- 05-20-09 Prosecutors subpoena Matt Baker's school records, preparing for murder trial
- 05-15-09 Former Waco-area pastor changes attorney defending him in his wife's death
- 04-25-09 Judge orders Matt Baker to submit DNA; rejects request for grand jury records
- 04-22-09 Attorney for former Waco-area pastor opposes motion to get DNA from his client in murder trial
- 04-17-09 Expert witnesses in Matt Baker case could be costly to taxpayers
- 04-16-09 Prosecutors ask judge to order Matt Baker to submit DNA sample
- 04-15-09 Former Waco-area pastor trying to get access to grand jury testimony in preparation for his murder trial
- 04-11-09 Former Baptist minister Baker out of jail on $250,000 bond
- 04-10-09 Judge approves $250,000 surety bond in Matt Baker murder case
- 04-08-09 Former Waco-area preacher asks court to appoint defense experts in his murder trial in his wife's death
- 04-07-09 Attorney for indicted former Waco-area pastor wants prosecutors sanctioned for behavior
- 03-28-09 Former minister Baker who was indicted for murder transferred to Waco
- 03-27-09 Former Waco-area Baptist minister surrenders to police on murder charge in wife's death
- 03-26-09 Former Waco-area pastor indicted on murder charge in wife's death
- 12-19-08 Wrongful death lawsuit against former Central Texas minister Baker pushed back
- 12-13-08 Former Central Texas minister Matt Baker seeks dismissal of wrongful death suit because of lack of evidence
- 07-26-08 Former minister Baker's attorney seeks delay in start of civil suit trial
- 05-10-08 Matt Baker soliciting funds for civil suit battle over wife's death
- 03-26-08 DA: Evidence lacking so far in Matt Baker murder case
- 03-21-08 Ex-minister wants bond back in arrest on murder charges in wife's death
- 03-21-08 Lawsuit refiled against former Central Texas pastor in his wife's death
- 12-08-07 Matt Baker says rumor, innuendo fuel murder charge against him
- 12-08-07 Arrest warrant affidavit for Matt Baker
- 12-08-07 Death, depression and drugs: Q&A with Matt Baker
- 10-26-07 Former minister Baker out after 3 weeks in jail
- 10-24-07 Former minister Baker's release expected soon
- 10-23-07 Bond reduced for man accused of killing schoolteacher wife in 2006
- 10-19-07 Matt Baker gets high-profile legal help battling murder charge
- 10-16-07 Couple drops civil suit in daughter's death, bets on criminal case
- 10-03-07 Bond doubles for former local minister arrested in his wife's killing
- 10-02-07 Former Baptist minister arrested in his wife's death moved to McLennan County Jail
- 09-25-07 Former pastor Matt Baker still in jail on $200,000 bond
- 09-22-07 Former local pastor arrested in wife's 2006 death
- 09-21-07 Read the complete arrest warrant for Matt Baker
- 09-19-07 Cause of Hewitt teacher's death ruled 'undetermined'
- 08-30-07 Suicide or homicide? Rare inquest held into Hewitt teacher's death
- 08-22-07 Judge sets inquest into Hewitt teacher's 2006 death
- 03-09-07 Couple who sued in their daughter's death get more visits with their grandchildren
- 01-11-07 Judge divides up records in wrongful death suit
- 01-09-07 Judge considers request to quash subpoenas for records in wrongful death lawsuit
- 09-09-06 Autopsy on Hewitt teacher inconclusive
- 08-20-06 Teacher's body exhumed as Hewitt police reopen death investigation
“I knew this day was coming,” she said. “I knew it was. Now, I want Matt to pay for murdering my daughter, and I want to rescue my granddaughters. That was my last promise to my daughter, and that is that I would save her daughters.”
Dulin and her husband, James, never believed Baker’s account of how their daughter died, claiming in a wrongful death lawsuit set for trial in September that Baker, a former Baptist minister at several Central Texas churches, slipped his wife an overdose of sleeping pills, smothered her with a pillow and then made her death appear a suicide.
They prodded Hewitt police to reopen the investigation, exhumed their daughter’s body for an autopsy and kept pressing for answers.
The indictment against Baker alleges that he killed his 31-year-old wife by “administering drugs to her and suffocating her with a pillow.”
Baker, who has since moved to Kerrville with his two daughters, has said in numerous media interviews that he did not kill his wife. He has said that his wife committed suicide because she remained despondent over the death of a daughter in 1998 from cancer.
Baker’s murder case has been assigned to 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother’s court. Strother set a post-indictment bond of $500,000 for Baker on Wednesday.
Baker’s attorney, Richard Ellison, said he isn’t sure if Baker will be able to post a $500,000 bond, saying he will schedule a bond-reduction hearing as quickly as he can. He said he was unsure whether Baker will surrender to McLennan County officials or try to make arrangements to post bond in Kerrville. After Baker’s arrest in December 2007, a family friend from Kerrville posted a $200,000 cash bond to secure his release.
“We are shocked and disappointed,” Ellison said when told of Baker’s indictment. “I think this is politically motivated. It is all caused by family pressure. He is innocent, and we look forward to our day in court so the truth will come out and put an end to all of this.”
Ellison called the bond amount “absurd” and said that Baker is no flight risk and is not going anywhere.
Prosecutors Crawford Long and Susan Shafer presented Baker’s case, including one witness, Vanessa Bulls, to the grand jury. They declined comment after the indictment was issued, citing confidentiality rules that govern grand jury proceedings. District Attorney John Segrest also declined comment.
“The state of Texas does its talking in the courtroom, not in the media,” Segrest said.
It was not clear Wednesday when Baker’s criminal trial will be held. However, Segrest said the criminal case will take precedence over the civil wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the Dulins, which is set for trial Sept. 28 in 19th State District Court.
Kari Baker’s family and friends have denied that she was depressed, saying the young teacher was looking forward to starting a new job at a new school. Officials have said she told at least one friend and her counselor that she thought her husband was having an affair and that she feared he would kill her after she found crushed pills in his briefcase.
Baker, who also was chaplain at the Waco Center for Youth, conducted research on Web sites relating to sleeping pills and overdoses, police officials charged in records filed in the case.
Woman called to testify
Authorities say Baker was pursuing a romantic relationship with Bulls, a former member at Crossroads Baptist Church, where he once preached. Baker has denied any romantic intentions toward Bulls, saying they were just friends.
On Wednesday, Long and Shafer escorted Bulls into the grand jury chambers, where she testified for about 30 minutes. That was after 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson granted her immunity from any legal repercussions that might come from her testimony, courthouse sources said.
Bulls was accompanied to the courthouse by Belton attorney Bruce Burleson, who waited outside the grand jury chambers. Burleson also declined comment.
Baker reportedly gave Bulls his wife’s cell phone after her death, officials have said. Baker’s phone records show he called Bulls dozens of times between January and April 2006.
Witnesses have told authorities that Baker and Bulls were seen looking at engagement rings at a jewelry store in Richland Mall in Waco within days of Kari Baker’s death.
Baker told the Tribune-Herald that he and Bulls were looking for earrings for his daughters at the store.
twitherspoon@wacotrib.com
757-5737
Comments
By bowlocherries
Apr 7, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
#1 Shame on the JP for not doing his job. #2 Vanessa would not ask for immunity if she didn't have something to hide. #3 Matt is innocent until proven guilty. However, there had to be some pretty hard evidence to get an indictment. Whatever it was, coupled with all the other evidence like the calls to Vanessa, the computer searches for overdoses and sleeping pills and many other things obviously made a clear case for indicting him.
I don't particularly care for the bumper stickers either....but they do raise awareness for a good cause. Freedom of speech is a gift!
My heart goes out to the girls who will be dealing with this tragedy for many years after their father goes to trial. I know God can heal their hearts in time.
By Carrie
Apr 7, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
I'm thinking she required or asked for immunity in the event that he may try to turn the tables on her and blame her for the death.... that SHE was the one in love with him and was jealous or something. That would be something I'd be afraid of as well. Although I'd never go after a married man. With the many complaints against him from at least 6 women... I think this is the right decision to try him. Too many things not adding up coupled with his repeated denials. I hope the maternal grandparents obtain custody and fast!
By bassplayerguy
Mar 27, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this
Frankie, you're absolutely right. The sticker comment was a little insensitive. In fact it was sort of meant to be. But it was also not without a point. What happened to Kari Baker and her family is truly tragic and my heart actually goes out to them. But this needs to be tried in a court of law, not on car bumpers. Maybe it's my personal anti-bumper sticker bias. They do nothing! (except irritate the fool out of me) Action gets things done. Kari's family has done well in this area in making sure the evidence is pursued. I will also reiterate that if Matt is guilty, I want him to pay dearly for his crime against his wife and the entire family!!
By the way, Frankie, you're also right in the fact that I'm a lousy bass player, too. But thanks for listening.
By Cynthia Robinson
Mar 27, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Dulin Family. As I have spoken with Mrs. Dulin, I know she must be ecstatic!
DA Segrest: Look at the parallels between this case and the case of my son, Joshua Robinson, who was found dead in Amsler Park!
I have followed this story closely for several reasons:
1) Because of the JP's mistakes, similar to JP Culpepper
2) Because I watched the 48 Hours Mystery show on Kari's suspicious death.
3) Because I 'felt' something wasn't right with this death, as I 'feel' something isn't right with Joshua's death!
McGregor, DA Segrest, JP Culpepper, Mayor Hering, and ex-Texas Ranger/NOW Chief of Police Foster in McGregor didn't/don't want to believe me, but JUSTICE is coming soon......very soon!
Like Kari, Joshua was NOT despondent!
McGregor will begin to scramble very soon!
By Dollar Bill
Mar 26, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
I'm impressed with the tough talk out of our DA, John Segrest. He does his talking in the courtroom or so he says....that is, so long as the defendant's last name isn't Mills or Wood in which case he just disappears like the popcorn based gaseous emission he actually is for fear of being forced to deal with a crime that might have far reaching consequences for well-connected people.
By justice4kari
Mar 26, 2009 9:50 PM | Link to this
Having known Linda, Jim, Adam and Kari Dulin for more than 20 years now I could not control my happiness at seeing this story. My next thought was that if only Kari's grandmother could have lived to see this day. Three years this family has had to wait for this day to come. Kari was a joy to have known. When Linda first told me what had happened three years ago I couldn't believe it.
If Baker is innocent he should have nothing to fear from a trial. However, if anyone has carefully examined what has been reported, and if anyone watched his attempt at a self-serving interview on 48 Hours (I missed the other one, but I believe it was 20/20) or read his other attempt in Texas Monthly, then they cannot help but believe the verdict will be guilty.
That all being said I know Linda, Jim and Adam will feel a great deal of relief when the trial is over and he is found guilty, as will I as a friend of this family; however, there will not be joy over any verdict, guilty or not. Having known this family for years I know they are only seeking justice for their daughter/sister, but I also know them to be fine people who believe that retribution belongs to the God of Heaven. Sadness will always be associated with this, not only because of the loss of Kari, but because two little girls are going to grow up without their mother. Two little girls are deprived of a father.
My prayer in all of this is that justice will be done, and that those two darling little girls, who were their mother's pride and joy, will be given a chance to grow up as normally as they can and that they will know the truth, but learn not to hate their father for depriving them of both their mother's and his presence in their lives.
By cf
Mar 26, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
to bystander
Involvement = immunity
By Bystander
Mar 26, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
I know none of the facts of this case ~ only what has been reported by the media. But one question puzzles me and I have not heard it addressed. Why would Vanessa Bulls require immunity before testifying in front of the Grand Jury? What "legal repercussions" should she fear if her testimony is truthful and substantiated by evidence? Something strange about this ~ unless her "credibility" is already in question from a separate incident. As to Baker's guilt or innocence, I will leave that to a jury to decide.
By Ruth Cook
Mar 26, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this
We can only hope the girlfriend told the truth about what was going on; and the counselor's testimony will be most valuable!!! You know, I used to think marrying a mnister would be so wonderful...It's no guarantee of sanity.
By a man of GOD
Mar 26, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
this is truly a sad situation,a beautiful woman life taken because he wanted to be with another woman.how can you call yourself a man or even better a man of GOD.my prayers go out to the family who has lost their daughter and those angels who has lost their mother.may GOD
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